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just as you said and going myself to fetch him. Meanwhile do you come and sit by the fire. It is growing cold apace, although the weather holds remarkably fine. I have put you and William in the south-tower room. You will have to walk across the garden, but it will be warmer there than in the wall chambers." She saw Isobel examining her with anxiety. "Do not be concerned for me, Isobel. I do grieve for Simon still, but I am well content with Ian. He loves the children so dearly, and he is a strong bulwark against trouble." |
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The manservant having returned, alinor was spared the necessity of trying to decide how much more she should tell Isobel. She was not even sure she knew what to tell her. She did not know how to express the change Ian had produced in her. When she thought of Simon, her heart moved as it always had, but her feeling for Ian was just as strong. It would be best, she decided, as she and her tail of men rode out of the keep, to let matters rest as they were. As long as Isobel did not feel she was unhappy, she was not the kind to probe further. There was no need for Alinor to define her emotions more exactly. |
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She greeted William with mock rage and then, most sincerely, thanked him for his thoughtfulness. "Both Ian and I know what we do," she explained. "Simon told Ian about what I did to the king." |
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"Then all the more reason" William began, frowning. |
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"Nonsense! If I did not know you better, William, I would say you were afraid to take further contamination from our company. To speak plain, you must come whatever you fear for us. Lord Llewelyn is coming, and I know Ian desires to have speech with you and him together. Moreover, we may all escape clean from this. William of Salisbury is coming also. He asked to be invited." |
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"Then it is true, what I heard, that he and Lord Ian had become close companions?" |
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